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CNN —Florida is bracing for “major impact” as Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to rapidly strengthen into a powerful Category 3 hurricane and aim for its Gulf Coast, threatening dangerous storm surge and winds, authorities said. “Idalia could become a hurricane later this morning, and is forecast to become a major hurricane by early Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center said. The Florida National Guard activated: More than 5,000 National Guard members were activated to help respond to the storm. Idalia posed a “notable risk” of this phenomenon, the National Hurricane Center warned Monday, as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico. Cedar Key could be cut off by the high storm surge, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said.

Persons: Idalia, “, Ron DeSantis, It’s, Taylor, DeSantis, ” Barbara Tripp, ” Tripp, Ian —, Chris O'Meara, Jamie Rhome, “ I’m, ” Rhome, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, ” Organizations: CNN, Sunshine State, National Hurricane Center, ”, Carolinas, Tampa International, Pete, Clearwater International, Florida State University, University of Florida, M University . Emergencies, DeSantis, Florida National Guard, National Guard, US Navy, Navy, ., Pasadena Hospital, HCA, HCA Florida Trinity West Hospital, HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, Tampa Fire, Facebook, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Columbia, Climate Locations: Florida, Gulf, Bend, Tampa, Tallahassee, Cuba, Mexico, Georgia, Carolinas, Hillsborough, Franklin, Levy, Citrus, Manatee, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Sarasota, HCA Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa , Florida, Big, Idalia

☆ British Columbia lifts most travel restrictions as Canada wildfires ease
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The restrictions barred non-essential travel to communities in the province's interior including Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops and were due to expire at midnight. The measure will remain in place for West Kelowna. Flames burned nearly 200 homes in Kelowna and West Kelowna, officials said, but conditions were slowly improving even though smoke continued to blanket the province. "I really am beginning to feel like we're turning the corner here on this fire," West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund told a news conference. "...The efforts in partnership with the federal government, with First Nations and others on recovery has started already," British Columbia Premier David Eby told a news conference in West Kelowna.

Persons: David Eby, Chad Hipolito, Jason Brolund, Columbia Premier David Eby, Nia Williams, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: British, REUTERS Acquire, West, Northwest Territories, Flames, Kelowna and, First Nations, Columbia Premier, Thomson Locations: Kamloops, Canada, British Columbia, Kelowna, Vernon, West Kelowna, Northwest, Yellowknife, Kelowna and West Kelowna, Hay River, Fort Smith, Alberta

☆ Biden told Maui wildfire survivors that he can relate, citing a small fire he had in his kitchen in 2004
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden met with survivors of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina on Monday. He told the audience that he could relate to them because his house caught on fire in 2004. But according to news reports at the time, the blaze was small and contained to his kitchen. Biden described how lightning struck a pond by his Delaware home, hitting a wire, and coming up underneath his home into the heating and air conditioning ducts. Last year, he also told survivors of Hurricane Ian in Florida that he "lost an awful lot of" his Delaware home in the fire, per The New York Times.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Jill, Biden Organizations: Service, Associated Press, New York Times, Fire Company, New York Post Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Wall, Silicon, Delaware, Lahaina —, Washington ,, Hurricane, Florida, Cranston

☆ Cooler conditions bring some hope as Canada wildfires rage on
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 21 (Reuters) - Wildfires ravaging Canada's British Columbia province are showing some signs of easing and the weather conditions should improve through Monday into Tuesday, through crews are still battling "epic" blazes, emergency officials said. Blazes are also raging further north as Canada reels from its worst wildfire season on record, which many experts have blamed on climate change. British Columbia, which sits on Canada's Pacific coast, could get some rains this week from Tropical Storm Hilary, which hit California on Sunday, forecasters have said. The air quality index in many fire-affected areas - including Central Okanagan, Eastern Fraser Valley, Kamloops - hit above 10 on Monday, signaling a high risk, the British Columbia government said. Fires continued to burn about 15 km from Yellowknife and it was unclear when they will reach the city, officials said.

Persons: Hilary, Jerrad Schroeder, Jason Brolund, Brolund, Denny Thomas, Michael Perry, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Canada's, U.S ., Tropical, Kamloops Fire, British Columbia, Government, Northwest Territories, Canada's Department of National Defence, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Thomson Locations: Canada's British Columbia, Canada, U.S, U.S . Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, California, Kamloops, Central Okanagan, Eastern Fraser Valley, British, New York, U.S . East Coast, Yellowknife, Northwest, West Kelowna

☆ Canada to deploy military in British Columbia to tackle fast-spreading fires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Summary British Columbia declares state of emergency after wildfiresFlames have led to evacuation orders for more than 35,000 peopleAQI of some British Columbia cities at 'hazardous' levelsREVELSTOKE, British Columbia, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Canada is sending the military to tackle fast-spreading wildfires in British Columbia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday, as the western province deals with flames that have led to evacuation orders for more than 35,000 people. In some cities in British Columbia, the air quality index (AQI), which measures major pollutants including particulate matter produced by fires, was above 350, a "hazardous" level, IQAir, a real-time air quality information platform showed. West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund said he saw some hope after battling "epic" fires for the past four days. Since 2009, Canada has been spending more on fighting and suppressing wildfires than on maintaining its firefighting personnel and program. In British Columbia, the TransCanada highway was closed near Chase, about 400 km (250 miles) northeast of Vancouver.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Jason Brolund, that's, Brolund, Trudeau, Krista Flesjer, Kip Lumquist, Lumquist, Nia Williams, Dan Whitcomb, Nilutpal, Denny Thomas, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis, Lisa Shumaker, Gerry Doyle, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Columbia, Flames, British Columbia, Kelowna College, ., Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Reuters, U.S ., Canadian, REUTERS Acquire, Government, Thomson Locations: Columbia, REVELSTOKE, British Columbia, Canada, British, Kelowna, U.S, U.S . Pacific Northwest, Washington, Oregon, Squilax, Kamloops, New York, U.S . East Coast, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Chase, Vancouver, Craigellachie, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

☆ ‘It Was Pretty Miserable’: Planning a Wedding Amid Climate Change
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Britta Lokting | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

When Coy Boggler and Annie Wall started planning their intimate backyard wedding in Phoenix earlier this year, they didn’t know that by July, a record-breaking heat wave would settle over the city for 31 straight days. Mr. Boggler, 47, and Ms. Wall, 41, had rented a tent to keep their guests cool and decided to test it out with three air-conditioning units running, but the temperature inside the tent wouldn’t dip below 93 degrees. “It was pretty miserable,” said Mr. Boggler, a firefighter and paramedic in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The couple were at a loss for what to do when they ran into Chuck Montgomery, a retired deputy fire chief of Glendale, Ariz., and an acquaintance. Mr. Montgomery invited them to move the ceremony to the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting in Phoenix, where Mr. Montgomery is the executive director.

Persons: Coy Boggler, Annie Wall, Boggler, Wall, ”, Chuck Montgomery, Montgomery Organizations: of Flame Museum Locations: Phoenix, Glendale, Ariz

☆ Cruise robotaxi gets in accident with San Francisco fire truck, one injured
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Cruise self-driving car, which is owned by General Motors Corp, is seen outside the company's headquarters in San Francisco. A Cruise self-driving car was involved in an accident with a San Francisco Fire Department truck just one week after California regulators approved 24-7 robotaxi service in San Francisco. The San Francisco Police Department was not immediately available for comment on the matter. California's Public Utility Commission voted 3 to 1 last week to approve the rollout of driverless, fare-collecting vehicles in San Francisco. Self-driving cars from Cruise and Alphabet -subsidiary Waymo had already become regular sights on San Francisco roads in the preceding months.

Persons: Cruise, Waymo, Kyle Vogt, San, San Francisco firefighters, Jeanine Nicholson, Nicholson Organizations: General Motors Corp, San Francisco Fire Department, Twitter, ABC, San Francisco Police Department, CNBC, San Francisco, Francisco Fire, NPR, Cruise, General Motors, Microsoft, Honda, Walmart Locations: San Francisco, California, Tenderloin, Polk, Turk

So far, at least 111 deaths have been confirmed in the wildfires, according to a release from Maui County. Names of other victims have been released by familiesFirefight continues : Crews are still battling the fires on Maui. “The people that were trying to put out these fires lived in those homes – 25 of our firefighters lost their homes,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said Wednesday. “They watched their homes burn as they fought the fire for other homes in their neighborhood,” she explained. “That is a scar that we will carry for a very long time.”Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11.

Persons: John Pelletier, ” Pelletier, ”, Pelletier, Josh Green, CNN’s Wolf, “, Brenda Keau, ” Keau, Jeff Hickman, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, ” Hickman, Melva Benjamin, Virginia Dofa, Alfredo Galinato, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, Benjamin, Crews, Brad Ventura, ” Biden, Herman Andaya, would’ve, Matthew A, Foster, Richard Bissen, Aina Kohler, I’ve, Kohler, “ It’s, Jonny Varona, They’re, Wade Ebersole, it’s, who’s, ” Ebersole, ” Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Jae C, Patrick T, Fallon, Rick Bowmer, Justin Sullivan, Lauren Haley, Bryan Anselm, Makalea Ahhee, Yuki Iwamura, Mike Blake, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Matthew Thayer, Bob Marshall, ” Marshall, Marshall, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, ” Darren Pai Organizations: CNN, Maui Police, Authorities, Hawaii Gov, Hawaii Department of Defense, Fire, White House, Maui, Maui Emergency Management, Tuesday . U.S . Army National Guard, Staff, KITV, Maui Health, Maui Memorial Medical, New York Times, AP, FBI, Facility, Getty, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Reuters, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, Whisker Labs, Maui Bird Conservation Center, The Washington, Hawaiian Electric, CNN Sunday Locations: Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, Lahaina, Tuesday ., ”, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, AFP, Kula , Hawaii, Kaanapali, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Kahului, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, California, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Makawao, Western Maui

☆ Maui wildfires: What we know about the deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While firefighters have made progress against the three largest wildfires, the deadly fire in hard-hit Lahaina is still not fully under control, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said Saturday. Mike Blake/ReutersThe most destructive and deadly of the fires, the Lahaina wildfire, traveled at an extraordinary speed, the governor said in a video update Sunday afternoon. “When the winds rose up – winds gusting as high as 81 miles per hour – fires spread rapidly,” Green said. Lahaina is the hardest hit areaVideo Ad Feedback The Maui fires destroyed their homes. People are still missing and just 3% of area was searchedA caretaker photographs the site of a home destroyed by the Maui wildfires in Kula, Hawaii on Sunday.

Persons: CNN — Crews, what’s, Josh Green, “ It’s, Brad Ventura, Mike Blake, ” Green, “, Lori Moore, Merrell, Richard T, Bissen, Deanne Criswell, King Kamehameha III, Keith Hayashi, ” Hayashi, John Pelletier, Patrick T, Fallon, Pelletier, Mazie, Brittany Talley, Timm “ TK ” Williams, Williams, Talley, ” Talley, weren’t, we’ll, Anne Lopez, ”, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly Organizations: CNN, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui County Fire, Maxar Technologies, FEMA, Sunday, Maui Police, National Fire Protection Association, People, Getty, Sen, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiian Electric Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui County, Kula, Hawaii, Lāhainā, Kula , Hawaii, AFP, Kaanapali

Those winds also battered power lines on the island, and dramatic videos show lines swaying and being toppled in the gusts. Now, some locals are casting blame on Hawaiian Electric, the state’s biggest utility, for not shutting off power to high-risk areas – and claiming that its power lines could have sparked the deadly fire. State officials were well aware of the danger posed by downed power lines during hurricanes. A 2021 state report noted that “downed power lines” and “residential and wildland fires” were hazards related to hurricanes. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said Thursday that power lines that were “still energized” had fallen on the roads.

Persons: Shane Treu, Treu, ” Treu, kindling, Lisa Treu, –, ”, “, Hurricane Dora, “ inexcusably, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, Kelly, Richard Bissen, Yuri Iwamura, hydrants –, Cole Millington, Millington, Bradford Ventura, Adam Weintraub, ” Weintraub, Jill Tokuda, Keahi Ho, John Stufflebean, Josh Green, Anne Lopez, ” Green, “ It’s, Dora, Abby Frazier, Dora inched, Josh Stanbro Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters, Electric, National Weather Service, Hawaiian Electric Company, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Maui, Volunteers, Getty, Facebook, Bradford, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Democrat, New York Times, Maui County Department of Water Supply, Times, Government, Hawaii Gov, Clark University Locations: Mauna, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, County, California, Paradise, West Maui, Maalaea, AFP, “, Maui County, United States, Massachusetts

☆ Hawaiian Electric stock plunges 40% after lawsuit alleges it failed to shut power off ahead of the Maui wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The suit alleges that Hawaiian Electric Industries “chose not to deenergize their power lines during the High Wind Watch and Red Flag Warning conditions for Maui before the Lahaina Fire started,” despite knowing the risks of sparking a fire in those conditions. The company and subsidiaries “also chose not to deenergize their power lines after they knew some poles and lines had fallen and were in contact with the vegetation or the ground,” the suit alleges. He added that Hawaiian Electric does not have a formal shut-off program in place, and precautionary shut-offs have to be arranged with first responders. Despite this, Hawaiian Electric (HE) did not enforce a public safety power shutoff, a temporary pause of service to certain areas due to increased fire risk. These included an $11 billion insurance settlement, as well as $1 billion paid to affected local governments.

Persons: ”, “, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, CoreLogic, Josh Green, Hawaii’s, – CNN’s Andy Rose Organizations: New, New York CNN, Electric Industries “, Hawaiian Electric, CNN, Hawaii Gov, National Weather Service, Western Fire Chiefs Association, Electric, Pacific Gas and Locations: New York, Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, Honolulu, California

☆ Maui wildfires: Crews still working to identify 93 victims found so far in deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP Volunteers unload supplies from trucks before loading them onto boats for people in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, August 12. Rick Bowmer/AP Grace Hurt, right, embraces someone while loading supplies for those in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Josh Green, “ It’s, Dora, We’ve, ” Green, ”, John Pelletier, Deanne Criswell, Green, Brad Ventura, Kihei –, •, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Evelio Contreras, Rick Bowmer, Grace Hurt, Hurt, Justin Sullivan, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, “, who’ve, Ilihia Gionson, Gionson, –, Steven, Giulietta Daiker, ” Steven, ” Giulietta, “ We’re, Richard Bissen Jr Organizations: CNN, National Fire Protection Association, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui Police, FEMA, Maui County Fire, • Cell, Maui News, AP Volunteers, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Fire Department, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty, National Guard, Department of Health, Human Services, Pacific Whale Foundation, Ritz, Carlton, Hawaii Department, Transportation, Saturday, Volunteers, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Lahaina Residents Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Kihei, Upcountry, Hawaii, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, Kula, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP, Kapalua, Lahaina –, Hawaiian

☆ Hawaii's emergency siren warning system was silent during Maui wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Ray Sanchez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Hawaii residents have long been accustomed to the monthly tests of the outdoor siren warning system. “Maui County faced a challenging, rapidly changing situation, and I think they did everything possible to save lives. Period.’Video Ad Feedback Video shows family's terrifying escape from Maui wildfires 01:18 - Source: CNNThe fire spread with such speed that many people left their homes immediately with little notice from authorities, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Cole Millington, ” Millington, ”, Millington, …, –, Adam Weintraub, ” Weintraub, Weintraub, “, Allen Vu, Vu, Anne Lopez, Jill Tokuda, Karl Kim, Brad Ventura, ” Ventura, John Pelletier, Josh Green, Clay Trauernicht, Wedelin, Lee, Matthew Thayer, Patrick Fallon, Justin Sullivan, Rick Bowmer, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, Lane, ” Kim, Brock Long, ‘, Rachel Zimmerman Organizations: CNN, Lahaina, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, CNN Hawaii, National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, University of Hawaii, Maui County Fire, Maui County Police, Gov, Communication, National Weather Service, “, Maui Fire Department, Facebook, Firefighter, Fire Department, Maui News, AP Pacific Whale Foundation, Getty, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: Lahaina . Millington, Maui, “, Hawaii, Lahaina, Millington, Maui County, Manoa, Honolulu, Olinda, Kula, Hanamu, Piʻiholo, Lahaina Bypass, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Maalaea, West Maui, AFP, Wailuku, Upcountry, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, Kihei

☆ Regulators give green light to driverless taxis in San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Nadia Bidarian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

San Francisco first responders, city transportation leaders and local activists are among those who shared concerns about the technology. “Today’s permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, in a press release. Until Thursday’s vote, Cruise and Waymo could offer only limited service to San Francisco residents. The San Francisco Police Officers Association, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and the San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 all wrote letters to the CPUC in the week leading up to the originally scheduled vote on June 29. 2022 was the worst year on record for traffic fatalities in San Francisco since 2014, according to city data.

Persons: Cruise, “, ”, Tekedra Mawakana, Drew Pusateri, General Motors, Matthew Sutter, Justin Sullivan, Critics, Tracy McCray, Jeanine Nicholson, ” Nicholson, Waymo, Genevieve Shiroma, ” Shiroma Organizations: CNN, Cruise, San Francisco, California Public Utilities Commission, Waymo, General, Francisco, San, San Francisco Police, Association, Sheriffs ’ Association, San Francisco Fire Fighters, San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Locations: California, San Francisco, San, Waymo, San Francisco , California, “

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii told MSNBC. In a late evening statement, Maui County said that the death toll had risen to 80. [1/9]A view of damage cause by wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S., in this undated picture posted on August 11, 2023. County officials began allowing Lahaina residents back to their homes on Friday, even though much of Maui's western side remained without power and water. "Hot spots still exist and wearing a mask and gloves is advised," Maui County said in a statement.

Persons: Nobody, Brian Schatz, Josh Green, Green, Fire Chief Bradford Ventura, Hawaii Josh Green, Richard Bissen, NBC's, Andrew Rumbach, Marco Garcia, Mike Blake, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Allen, Rich McKay, Andrew Hay, Daniel Trotta, Dan Whitcomb, Doyinsola, Joseph Ax, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler, Frances Kerry Organizations: Hawaii, U.S, MSNBC, CNN, Fire Chief, REUTERS, Facebook, Urban Institute, University of Hawaii, Police, Thomson Locations: MAALAEA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, United States, Maui County, U.S, Kula, Washington

☆ Maui wildfires have killed at least 55 people and displaced thousands.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Maui County officials confirmed the additional two deaths in a news release late Thursday Hawaiian time, which is six hours behind the Eastern timezone. Live updates: Deadly wildfires burn across MauiHere’s the latest:• Thousands are displaced: Roughly 1,400 people slept at an airport Wednesday night. And more than 1,300 residents and tourists stayed in emergency shelters before many of them were taken to the airport to leave the island, Maui County officials said. • Resources sent to Maui: President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration to provide federal funding for recovery costs in Maui County. The fires have damaged or destroyed hundreds of structures in Maui County, local officials estimate.

Persons: “, Josh Green, Richard T, Bissen Jr, John Pelletier, ” Pelletier, Green, ” Green, Evelio Contreras, Bill Weir, ”, Deanne Criswell, ” •, Fire Chief Bradford Ventura, we’ve, they’re, Gov, Sylvia Luke, Joe Biden, Wedelin, Lee, Bissen, Brad Ventura Organizations: CNN, Police, FEMA, Fire Chief, • Resources, Army National Guard, Air National Guard Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii, “, United States, Paradise , California, Maui County . California, Lahaina , Hawaii

When the brush fire was first spotted early on Tuesday, Maui County officials ordered evacuations in an area on the eastern edge of town near a school. But within a few hours, officials announced on Facebook and on the county website that the blaze had been “100% contained.” And for the next few hours, while the county Emergency Management Agency warned people to stay away from several blocked roads, there appear to have been no further evacuation orders. Only as the fire spread rapidly into Lahaina, rekindled by powerful winds, did officials order more evacuations, according to statements posted on the county’s website and social media accounts. But by then, in the afternoon, some people were already dodging flames and thick smoke as they made last-minute efforts to reach safety, and many residents said they never received any alerts. At a news conference on Thursday night, the fire chief, Bradford Ventura, said the blaze had moved so quickly that it was “nearly impossible” for emergency management officials to send out evacuation orders in time.

Persons: Maui, Bradford Ventura Organizations: Facebook, Emergency Management Agency Locations: Lahaina, Maui County

☆ Four Dead in Flash Flooding in Pennsylvania
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Anna Betts | More About Anna Betts | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

At least four people were dead and three others remained missing on Sunday morning after severe floods on Saturday swept through areas of Pennsylvania. “The flash flood occurred some time after that,” Mr. “We believe approximately 11 cars were on the road. Three were confirmed swept away.”Eight people were rescued from the cars, and two were rescued from Houghs Creek, he said. “We are treating this as a rescue, but we are fairly certain we are in recovery mode at this time.”

Persons: Tim Brewer, Mr, Brewer, “, ” Locations: Pennsylvania, Makefield, Bucks County, Washington

☆ Northeast flooding: 5 people were killed by raging floodwaters in southeastern Pennsylvania and 2 children are still missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Christina Maxouris Lauren Mascarenhas Melissa Alonso Caitlin Kaiser | Christina Maxouris | Lauren Mascarenhas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The children and their family, who were visiting from Charleston, South Carolina, were driving to a barbecue when they got stuck in flash flooding, Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer said Sunday afternoon. Southeastern Pennsylvania was hit hard by heavy rain Saturday, less than a week after parts of the state had again faced flash flooding that deluged roadways and displaced dozens from their homes. “New York State is once again seeing significant rainfall & we are prepared to help communities respond,” Gov. Flash flood warnings were again in effect earlier Sunday in parts of the state, prompting officials to warn of potential landslides. “There are flash flood warnings throughout the state today.

Persons: Tim Brewer, “, Brewer, ” Brewer, ”, Norfolk PIO Jon Barbagallo, Kathy Hochul, ” Hochul, ” Long, Hochul, Kyle Mazza, Ned Lamont, John F, downpours, Hurricane Irene, Joe Biden, Jennifer Morrison, Phil Scott, Michael E, Mann Organizations: CNN, Authorities, Local, Empire State, “, York State, Twitter, New, New York City Emergency Management Department, Anadolu Agency, Bristol Firefighters Association, Connecticut Gov, National Weather Service, Boston Logan International Airport, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International Airport, John, Kennedy International Airport, Federal Aviation Administration, Sunday, FEMA, ”, University of Pennsylvania, Southwestern Locations: Pennsylvania, Charleston , South Carolina, Bucks County, Upper Makefield, Southeastern Pennsylvania, New England, Vermont , New York, Massachusetts, Norfolk , Connecticut, Norfolk, New York, Connecticut, Empire, York, Waterbury , Connecticut, New York City, Suffolk County, Dutchess, Sullivan, New Jersey, Bristol, Boston, LaGuardia Airport, Vermont

☆ At least one dead, dozens of homes damaged after storms hit US Midwest and South
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Kanishka Singh | Thomson Reuters | Kanishka Singh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Reuters In Washington Dc | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Eric Ford via TMX/via REUTERS /File photoJune 26 (Reuters) - Tornadoes and thunderstorms hit the U.S. Midwest and South on Sunday, leaving dozens of homes damaged and at least one person dead in Indiana, authorities said on Monday. The National Weather Service said multiple tornadoes were reported on Sunday afternoon in central Indiana. Images and footage from local media showed fallen trees had blocked roads and homes were damaged. Emergency shelters were set up in central Indiana for those whose homes were damaged and destroyed. At least one person died and about two dozen people were injured after a tornado hit central Mississippi a few days ago.

Persons: Eric Ford, Cameron Wolf, Wolf, Eric Funkhouser, Kanishka Singh, Ed Osmond Organizations: U.S ., National Weather Service, Emergency, PBS, Fire, NBC News, Thomson Locations: Greenwood , Indiana, U.S, U.S . Midwest, Indiana, Martin County , Indiana, Bargersville, Indianapolis, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Washington

☆ As Canada's wildfires intensify, recruiting firefighters is tougher
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Nia Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That's roughly 2,500 firefighters short of what is needed, said Mike Flannigan, a professor at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia and wildfire specialist. "It's hard work, it's hot work, it's smoky work, and there are real issues with health impacts longer-term," Flannigan said. Applications were down in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, and Alberta had to do several rounds of recruitment to fill its ranks, officials said. As more wildfires threaten communities, provincial agencies are also increasingly leaning on structural firefighters to help protect homes. Since 2009, Canada has been spending more on fighting and suppressing wildfires than on maintaining its firefighting personnel and program.

Persons: Mike Flannigan, Flannigan, Scott Tingley, Rob Schweitzer, Ken McMullen, David Ljunggren, Ismail Shakil, Denny Thomas, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Reuters, Thompson Rivers University, Nova, Wildfire, BC Wildfire Service, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Emergency Preparedness, Thomson Locations: BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada, Yukon, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Canada's, Manitoba, Lithuania, Quebec, Ottawa

☆ Fact Check-UK emergency services can’t track your location if you dial 55 in silent 999 call
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Emergency services in the United Kingdom cannot track someone’s location if the caller dials 55 during a silent 999 call, contrary to claims made online. One Facebook user (here) uploaded an image of text which reads: “If you ever find yourself dialling 999 and you can't speak press 55 and they can track where you are from dialling location - new technology. However, multiple British constabularies say on their websites that dialling 55 during a silent 999 call would not allow the police to track someone’s whereabouts (e.g., Metropolitan Police: here, West Yorkshire Police: here and West Midlands Police: here) or automatically send officers to that location. More information about the police’s ‘Silent Solution’ can be found here. Dialling 55 during a silent 999 call lets call operators know that someone is in danger and needs help, though it does not allow the emergency services to track a caller’s location.

Persons: ”, –, Read Organizations: Independent, Police, Reuters, National Police Chiefs ’ Council, Metropolitan Police, West Yorkshire Police, West Midlands Police, National Fire Chiefs Council, BT Locations: United Kingdom, England

New York CNN —Homeowners insurance is becoming more expensive and, in many places, more difficult to find. The companies also blame limits placed on insurance premiums in some states, including California. Insurance premiums nationwide aren’t up significantly – only 1.6% in the last 12 months according to the Consumer Price Index, the government’s main inflation measure. For instance, in Louisiana, 17% of homeowners insurance policyholders had their policies canceled last year, according to an annual report from Louisiana State University. Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of policyholders said homeowners and flood insurance are more expensive in Louisiana than other states.

Persons: Ian, ”, Matthew Carletti, “ They’ve, it’s, ” Carletti, Dave Jones, ” Jones, policyholders, Carletti, Frank Frievalt’s, ” Frievalt, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN — Homeowners, Farm, Allstate, JMP Securities, Consumer, State Farm, State, Louisiana State University, Citizens Property Insurance, UN Locations: New York, Florida, California, California , Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, , California

☆ Perryton, Texas tornado: 3 people dead and dozens injured after tornado ripped through a town in the Texas Panhandle
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Aya Elamroussi Dave Alsup Melissa Alonso | Aya Elamroussi | Dave Alsup | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —At least three people were killed and dozens were hospitalized after a tornado ripped through a town in the Texas Panhandle on Thursday afternoon, nearly leveling some buildings and prompting power outages. A view of a damaged site in Perryton as the town gets struck by a tornado in Texas on Thursday in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Greg Abbott has deployed state emergency resources to “meet urgent life-safety needs in Perryton, Texas,” according to a news release from his office. Sabrina Devers/TMX/ReutersOfficials in Beaver County, Oklahoma, sent fire, law enforcement and EMS units to help, according to the county’s emergency manager Keith Shadden. The sheriff’s office in Hutchinson County — which includes Stinnett — also sent rescue and emergency operations following the “devastating tornado,” according to a Facebook post from the office.

Persons: Paul Dutcher, CNN’s Alisyn, Kelly Judice, ” Judice, Sabrina Devers, ”, Wes Reeves, Greg Abbott, Keith Shadden, —, Judice, “, Brian Emfinger, Emfinger, ” Emfinger, Cole Underwood, there’s, Ronny Jackson Organizations: CNN, Texas Panhandle, Xcel Energy, Texas Gov, Reuters, National Weather Service, NWS Locations: Texas, Perryton, Perryton , Texas, Beaver County , Oklahoma, Stinnett , Texas, Hutchinson County, Oklahoma, Michigan

☆ Texas panhandle town hit by tornado, deaths reported
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Brad Brooks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A tank truck gets partially submerge in water in Perryton as the town gets struck by a tornado, in Texas, U.S. June 15, 2023, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. ABC's Amarillo affiliate KVII-TV, citing Perryton fire chief Paul Dutcher, reported that at least three people were killed. At least 30 trailer homes were damaged or destroyed in Perryton, KVII-TV reported, and firefighters were still rescuing victims at 6 p.m. It said the town may have been struck by three tornadoes. I am in contact with Mayor Symons and this tragedy is being closely monitored by myself and my whole staff," U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson, a Republican from Texas, said on Twitter.

Persons: Sabrina Devers, Kerry Symons, Paul Dutcher, Debbie Beck, Beck, Jane, Mayor Symons, Ronny Jackson, Greg Abbott, Brad Brooks, Dan Whitcomb, Costas Pitas, Stephen Coates, Simon Cameron, Moore, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Republican, Twitter . Texas, Thomson Locations: Perryton, Texas, U.S, TMX, REUTERS LUBBOCK , Texas, Amarillo, Oklahoma

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